Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865), sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitter, and the Great Emancipator, was the 16th President of the United States (1861 to 1865), and the first president from the Republican Party.

Legacy and memorials

Lincoln's death made the President a martyr to many. Today he is perhaps America's second most famous and beloved President after George Washington. Repeated polls of historians have ranked Lincoln as among the greatest presidents in U.S. history. Among contemporary admirers, Lincoln is usually seen as a figure who personifies classical values of honesty, integrity, as well as respect for individual and minority rights, and human freedom in general. Many American organizations of all purposes and agendas continue to cite his name and image, with interests ranging from the gay rights group Log Cabin Republicans to the insurance corporation Lincoln Financial.

Related Topics:
Martyr - George Washington - Greatest presidents in U.S. history - Gay rights - Log Cabin Republicans - Insurance - Lincoln Financial

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Over the years Lincoln has been memorialized in many city names, notably the capital of Nebraska; with the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. (pictured, right); on the U.S. $5 bill and the 1 cent coin (Illinois is the primary opponent to the removal of the penny from circulation); and as part of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Lincoln's Tomb, Lincoln's Home in Springfield, New Salem, Illinois (a reconstruction of Lincoln's early adult hometown), Ford's Theater and Petersen House are all preserved as museums. The state nickname for Illinois is Land of Lincoln.

Related Topics:
Capital of Nebraska - Lincoln Memorial - Washington, D.C. - $5 bill - 1 cent coin - Mount Rushmore National Memorial - Lincoln's Tomb - Lincoln's Home - Springfield - New Salem, Illinois - Ford's Theater - State nickname - Illinois

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Counties in 17 U.S. states (Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, West Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming) are named after Lincoln.

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Counties - U.S. state - Arkansas - Colorado - Idaho - Kansas - Minnesota - Mississippi - Montana - Nebraska - Nevada - New Mexico - Oklahoma - Oregon - South Dakota - West Virginia - Washington - Wisconsin - Wyoming

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On February 12, 1892, Abraham Lincoln's birthday was declared to be a federal holiday in the United States, although in 1971 it was combined with Washington's birthday in the form of President's Day. February 12 is still observed as a separate legal holiday in many states, including Illinois.

Related Topics:
February 12 - 1892 - Holiday - President's Day

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Lincoln's birthplace and family home are national historic memorials: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site in Hodgenville, KY and Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, Ill.. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is also in Springfield.

Related Topics:
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site - Hodgenville, KY - Lincoln Home National Historic Site - Springfield, Ill. - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

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Statues of Lincoln can be found in other countries. In Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, is a 13-foot high bronze statue, a gift from the United States, dedicated in 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The U.S. received a statue of Benito Juárez in exchange, which is in Washington, D.C. Juárez and Lincoln exchanged friendly letters, and Mexico remembers Lincoln's opposition to the Mexican-American War. There is also a statue in Tijuana, Mexico, showing Lincoln standing and destroying the chains of slavery. There are at least three statues of Lincoln in United Kingdom—one in London, one in Manchester and another in Edinburgh.

Related Topics:
Ciudad Juárez - Chihuahua - Mexico - Lyndon B. Johnson - Benito Juárez - Mexican-American War - Tijuana - United Kingdom - London - Manchester - Edinburgh

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The ballistic missile submarine Abraham Lincoln (SSBN-602) and the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) were named in his honor.

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Ballistic missile - Submarine - ''Abraham Lincoln'' (SSBN-602) - Aircraft carrier - ''Abraham Lincoln'' (CVN-72)

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Director Steven Spielberg is currently planning a movie on Lincoln with Liam Neeson in the leading role.

Related Topics:
Steven Spielberg - Liam Neeson

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The American Disney theme parks feature an Audio-Animatronics Abraham Lincoln in the show Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the Hall of Presidents.

Related Topics:
Audio-Animatronics - Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

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In a recent public vote entitled "The Greatest American," Lincoln placed second.

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